scoachd1
20 Dec 2007, 03:54 AM
Last year I started a thread trying to get an understanding of what each team was doing with their youth program in the month following the announcement of their youth Academy system (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=451688). It’s been a little over a year now and I figured its time for an update.
Here is my current understanding:
Chivas – The organization mostly seems likes it is working to build up grass roots support and as a bonus maybe develop a few players in the process. They have U16 and U18 teams playing in USSF Leagues. Focus has been on Hispanic players and unlike other LA based Academy teams they are not playing during the HS season. U18 team recruited some kids that can really play and might be willing and able to make the transition to the senior team. I think a couple may have been selected for US residency. U16 has more marginal players.
Club runs 14 different “Academies” in US 2 in LA that are run by the club and 12 others that are "independently owned and operated under license from Chivas USA Futbol Education, LLC,"
Galaxy – Announced with great fanfare in March that they starting Galaxy Rios and announced Tristan Bowen as there first player. Never heard of a second. Announced that they were going to have teams in the USSF league and then were replaced by LAFC. Run the Beckham academy targeted for kids 4-18 willing to pay the going rate.
Chicago – Started out with what looked like just another mediocre club outfitted in Fire gear at players cost. However with their two teams in USSF league, they appear more serious about acquiring talent. They appear to have attempted to recruit all the top area club players with free training, travel and gear. They also appear to have signed many of them.
Colorado – Have teams in USSF League. Played this summer in Super-Y against RSL’s teams and seemed to be a cut above the couple of club teams that played in the league.
Columbus – Have Crew Jrs. entered in USSF league. The program seemed to me nothing more than another glorified club much like Fire Juniors was. However, they seemed to partner with Friedel’s program which seems to be the real deal so maybe they are getting a bit more serious.
DC United – Has teams entered in USSF league and has a number of pretty good looking teams entered in Super Y. Seem to have hired a group of experienced coaches. They seem to be make a reasonable effort acquire and develop talent.
FC Dallas – Seemed to turn a large youth club (inter) into FC Dallas. Seems like just another Tx club outfitted in FC Dallas Gear (most likely at the players cost).
Houston – Houston has a unique system. They work with all the clubs and offer supplemental training. They appear to also play matches in Mexico as well as the US. They also appear to be pretty serious about finding potential players. Last year I thought their model was the way to start out. It seems to work with clubs rather than competing with them. However it is at odds with the USSF model (which I strongly question).
Kansas City – Have a U15,U16, U17 program called KCW Juniors. Appear to play against local club teams – something like a smaller version of DC or Red Bulls, only they are not part of USSF League
New England – Seem to having nothing more than an “Academy” that is targeted at anyone from 4-18 willing to pay the going rate.
Red Bull – Has teams entered in USSF league and a U15 Academy team as well. Seem to have hired a group of experienced coaches. They seem to be make a reasonable effort acquire and develop talent and seem to have players capable and interested in moving to the team.
Real Salt Lake – They also have an interesting model. They seem to partner with OPD in Arizona and Utah and have a U16 and U17 team in the Super-Y league. Talent looked a step above as Colorado Rush (at one time not too long ago one of the strongest clubs in the US) one of the two club teams also in the league at U17. They also seem to have a Chivas like licensed program in Florida that seems more like branding and money than development.
From my view – Galaxy, New England and FC Dallas have nothing. Columbus, Chicago, Colorado, KC Real Salt Lake all seem to be getting a little more serious in their own way although none seem to have player in their program chomping at the bit to turn professional. DC was about a year ahead in organizing but seems to be in the camp as well.
Red Bull, DC, Houston all seem to have players capable and interested in foregoing college and turning pro. Chivas is building up the grass roots with Hispanic targeted programs and is also providing a platform for lower income kids that want to go directly to the pros. Houston seems to be targeting similar players but is working in conjunction with South Tx programs. Red Bull also seem to have players ready to make the jump but does not seem as strongly Hispanic based as the other two.
Only Chivas, Columbus, Chicago, Colorado, Red Bull, and DC have teams in the USSF Academy League. I find it interesting that almost half the teams seem to question its utility at this time
Please make corrections, changes and additions to help fill out the picture of each teams plan, the appropriateness of their plan, and how successfully they appear to be executing their plan.
Here is my current understanding:
Chivas – The organization mostly seems likes it is working to build up grass roots support and as a bonus maybe develop a few players in the process. They have U16 and U18 teams playing in USSF Leagues. Focus has been on Hispanic players and unlike other LA based Academy teams they are not playing during the HS season. U18 team recruited some kids that can really play and might be willing and able to make the transition to the senior team. I think a couple may have been selected for US residency. U16 has more marginal players.
Club runs 14 different “Academies” in US 2 in LA that are run by the club and 12 others that are "independently owned and operated under license from Chivas USA Futbol Education, LLC,"
Galaxy – Announced with great fanfare in March that they starting Galaxy Rios and announced Tristan Bowen as there first player. Never heard of a second. Announced that they were going to have teams in the USSF league and then were replaced by LAFC. Run the Beckham academy targeted for kids 4-18 willing to pay the going rate.
Chicago – Started out with what looked like just another mediocre club outfitted in Fire gear at players cost. However with their two teams in USSF league, they appear more serious about acquiring talent. They appear to have attempted to recruit all the top area club players with free training, travel and gear. They also appear to have signed many of them.
Colorado – Have teams in USSF League. Played this summer in Super-Y against RSL’s teams and seemed to be a cut above the couple of club teams that played in the league.
Columbus – Have Crew Jrs. entered in USSF league. The program seemed to me nothing more than another glorified club much like Fire Juniors was. However, they seemed to partner with Friedel’s program which seems to be the real deal so maybe they are getting a bit more serious.
DC United – Has teams entered in USSF league and has a number of pretty good looking teams entered in Super Y. Seem to have hired a group of experienced coaches. They seem to be make a reasonable effort acquire and develop talent.
FC Dallas – Seemed to turn a large youth club (inter) into FC Dallas. Seems like just another Tx club outfitted in FC Dallas Gear (most likely at the players cost).
Houston – Houston has a unique system. They work with all the clubs and offer supplemental training. They appear to also play matches in Mexico as well as the US. They also appear to be pretty serious about finding potential players. Last year I thought their model was the way to start out. It seems to work with clubs rather than competing with them. However it is at odds with the USSF model (which I strongly question).
Kansas City – Have a U15,U16, U17 program called KCW Juniors. Appear to play against local club teams – something like a smaller version of DC or Red Bulls, only they are not part of USSF League
New England – Seem to having nothing more than an “Academy” that is targeted at anyone from 4-18 willing to pay the going rate.
Red Bull – Has teams entered in USSF league and a U15 Academy team as well. Seem to have hired a group of experienced coaches. They seem to be make a reasonable effort acquire and develop talent and seem to have players capable and interested in moving to the team.
Real Salt Lake – They also have an interesting model. They seem to partner with OPD in Arizona and Utah and have a U16 and U17 team in the Super-Y league. Talent looked a step above as Colorado Rush (at one time not too long ago one of the strongest clubs in the US) one of the two club teams also in the league at U17. They also seem to have a Chivas like licensed program in Florida that seems more like branding and money than development.
From my view – Galaxy, New England and FC Dallas have nothing. Columbus, Chicago, Colorado, KC Real Salt Lake all seem to be getting a little more serious in their own way although none seem to have player in their program chomping at the bit to turn professional. DC was about a year ahead in organizing but seems to be in the camp as well.
Red Bull, DC, Houston all seem to have players capable and interested in foregoing college and turning pro. Chivas is building up the grass roots with Hispanic targeted programs and is also providing a platform for lower income kids that want to go directly to the pros. Houston seems to be targeting similar players but is working in conjunction with South Tx programs. Red Bull also seem to have players ready to make the jump but does not seem as strongly Hispanic based as the other two.
Only Chivas, Columbus, Chicago, Colorado, Red Bull, and DC have teams in the USSF Academy League. I find it interesting that almost half the teams seem to question its utility at this time
Please make corrections, changes and additions to help fill out the picture of each teams plan, the appropriateness of their plan, and how successfully they appear to be executing their plan.